Academic Library Outreach Research Articles

Characteristics of Effective Outreach as Perceived by Library Student Assistant

This paper offers specific recommendations for effective academic library outreach that practitioners may consider as they develop and implement outreach initiatives at their institutions. It describes a methodology that can be replicated for similar case studies at other universities. It also contributes new knowledge to the subject of academic library outreach by reporting on the perceptions of library student assistants at a small liberal arts university in Southern California to gain insight into the kinds of outreach programing and communications students prefer and perceive as effective. This study used in-depth interviews to identify characteristics of effective outreach as perceived by library student assistants. Library student assistants are trained in the use and access of library resources and services and, as such, make ideal informants for outreach librarians seeking to understand what students think about their outreach efforts, including programming and communications.

Notes from the Pandemic Field

This article will provide insight into academic library outreach collaborations between two neighboring institutions. Before and during the pandemic a series of events were planned exploring The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. A virtual film discussion complete with a keynote speaker and intentional breakout rooms, each with a facilitator, for discussions was successfully executed with the help of over 25 faculty and staff from both colleges.

The Read Feed

Elizabeth Parang reviews Transfer Student Success: Academic Library Outreach and Engagement; Stephanie Rosenblatt reviews The One-Shot Library Instruction Survival Guide, Third Edition.

Patient Empowerment: A Partnership for Community Engagement in Three Phases

An academic medical center library and community outreach office partnered with community-based organizations and public libraries to deliver patient empowerment workshops within the community. The workshops included information on reliable sources for health information and how to engage your medical provider as a partner in improving your health. The initial project expanded to include the creation of professional development workshops for area public librarians. The final stage of the project was the redesign of the academic library’s website page to incorporate the community workshop content, including the creation of patient education videos.

Developing Competencies for Outreach Work in Academic Libraries

This research study investigates the behaviors, knowledge, and skills necessary for academic library outreach work. Through a review of published literature, job advertisements, and a survey of library practitioners conducted in the fall of 2020, the authors define and prioritize 18 competencies for outreach. Hiring managers, LIS instructors, and practitioners can use the results of this study to structure and lay out the essential areas of outreach work in academic libraries.

Technical services librarians and outreach: Communicating our value to engage students in critical thinking about information

The work of technical services is often invisible to users, even as it ensures their seamless discovery of and access to curated content. In order to address the invisibility of their work, technical services librarians in academic library settings increasingly seek opportunities to communicate its importance and impact on student learning and engagement. Initiatives to make the work of technical services visible increasingly appear in the scholarly literature and in academic library outreach.

Academic Libraries’ Outreach Efforts: Identifying Themes in the Literature

Outreach programs remain essential in fostering the use of library collections and services. A review of one hundred seventy-four papers on academic library outreach from 2008 to January 2019 highlighted the popularity of these programs during this period as well as the identification of five themes. These themes point to the importance of library outreach to targeted groups, the popularity of specialized library outreach programs, the need for collaboration in fostering outreach efforts, the benefits of managing these programs and the use of social media for library outreach. Foremost, these materials highlight opportunities and challenges for librarians in providing library outreach in academic institutions.

Evaluating Academic Library Outreach to Determine Return on Investment for Student Success

Campus outreach is a key part of an academic library’s service mission. However, the literature demonstrates a lack of assessment around library outreach, particularly from an institution-wide or programmatic perspective. The University of Houston Libraries assembled a team to evaluate return on investment for the Libraries outreach activities in service of meeting student success goals. This article shares the methodology, results, and recommendations made as a result of this project, with implications for outreach programs at other academic libraries.

Successful Campus Outreach for Academic Libraries: Building Community through Collaboration. Peggy Keeran and Carrie Forbes, eds. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2018. 235p. Paper, $50.00 (ISBN: 978-1-5381-1371-4).

Outreach and engagement is a key topic in academic libraries that is receiving an increased focus within the profession. While it may be difficult to decide which materials one should turn to first when delving into this subject, Successful Campus Outreach for Academic Libraries is an excellent collection of essays on the current scholarship and practice of academic library outreach. The ideas presented in its pages are not only inspiring; they can be easily adapted to fit a variety of academic settings. Nearly all chapters of this book detail collaborative outreach initiatives featuring partnerships with entities both on and off campus. There is a variety of topics covered, including planning and programming, as well as less obvious topics such as technology. Nearly all chapters incorporate essential details of implementation and assessment of the described programs. The practical information shared in each chapter will appeal to anyone charged with outreach efforts.

Visualizing the Silent Dialogue About Race: Diversity Outreach in an Academic Library

PurposeThis paper aims to describe the implementation and analyze the outcomes of The Race Card Project initiative at large public university's main library. Through this program, candid submissions from the public were used to promote multicultural learning and inclusivity, as well as to build campus relationships with curricular and co-curricular units engaged in diversity work on campus. Design/methodology/approachThe paper places the university's program within the context of academic library outreach through displays and exhibits. An overview of the development and implementation is provided along with the results of a multi-year assessment of the initiative. Originality/valueThis paper describes a unique approach to cultivating conversations with and among students, faculty, and staff, about diversity and inclusion and the library's impact on fostering increased positive campus climate. ConclusionsThe mindful leveraging of the library as safe (intellectual) space provides opportunities for student learning regarding diversity and inclusion, and a platform to build collaborative campus relationships and elevate library visibility. The Race Card Project initiative has been a positive way to engage patrons with social and cultural issues about multiculturalism and inclusivity.

Library Lights Out

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe the development and implementation of Library Lights Out, an annual collaboration between the library and Housing & Residential Life at Eastern Washington University (EWU). This creative outreach program features collaborative educational and recreational activities, is a cost-sharing partnership and serves to further the organizational goals of both the library and Housing & Residential Life. Design/methodology/approach The John F. Kennedy Library at EWU was initially approached by Housing & Residential Life with the idea for an overnight event in the library, which became Library Lights Out. Student participants in this event spend the night in the library and participate in a variety of educational, team-building and fun programs, such as a library resources scavenger hunt and “capture the flag” in the library stacks. Library Lights Out has become an annual event funded primarily by Housing & Residential Life, facilitated by the library and driven by students. Findings Library Lights Out has been a successful partnership that benefits the library, students and Housing & Residential Life. Originality/value This paper adds to the limited body of literature on academic library outreach to residence halls by highlighting three unique aspects of Library Lights Out. First, it is a cost-sharing partnership which was initiated by Housing & Residential Life and not by the library. Second, it occurs in the library and not in the residence halls, unlike most library outreach to residence halls. Finally, it is an overnight sleepover event with a combination of an educational program and recreational activities and games.

It's not just what you know but who you know: Social capital theory and academic library outreach

ABSTRACTThe concept of social capital and its contribution to success and well-being in a variety of settings has potential for academic library outreach. Research has found that those with extensive and varied networks of social relationships can benefit in myriad ways, including academic and professional achievement. A connection has also been found between lower levels of social capital and negative effects on individuals as well as communities generally. Academic libraries are strategically positioned to enhance the social capital of their users, effecting positive differences in engagement, retention, and success after graduation.

Modifying an information literacy game for outreach events

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss how to use a web-based library game as an outreach tool at events. Games in higher education are a trend that libraries have used for information literacy but less frequently for outreach. Although there are relatively few examples of the use of games in academic library outreach events, games have the potential to be excellent outreach tools by engaging students and presenting them with the opportunity to change their perceptions of the library. Design/methodology/approach – The University of North Dakota (UND) Libraries successfully connected with students at an outreach event by using a modified version of the Information Literacy Game originally developed by the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG). UND Librarians created specific technical modifications and an event workflow, highlighted here, that other academic libraries can adapt for use at outreach events to attract both students who are and those who are not typically users of the library. Findings – The information literacy game, with some specific technical changes, is customizable in relatively inexpensive ways that allow librarians from institutions of all sizes to engage students with a game at outreach events. Originality/value – Games, especially Web-based games, have not previously been used in outreach events. The literature on the use of games in information literacy sessions but outreach is an even more logical fit for gaming. This paper presents a practical, value-oriented method for academic libraries to modify an information literacy game for use in outreach.

Ethnography in Action: Active Learning in Academic Library Outreach to Middle School Students

ABSTRACTThis article describes an outreach activity developed and coordinated by academic librarians as part of a state program for low-income middle school students. Rather than offering a traditional library tour, the library organizers wanted to provide the middle school students with a meaningful experience that would encourage active participation, critical thinking, and alleviate library anxiety. As a spin on the traditional tour, students applied an ethnographic approach to learning about the library. The authors describe the development and implementation of the activity and provide recommendations for other librarians involved in outreach to K–12 students.

“Bringing the library to you!”

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the recent outreach service efforts of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Main Library in the form of a Hall of Residence Librarian Programme. The aim of the programme was to minimize library anxiety through partnership with the Office of Students Services. Design/methodology/approach – The transition from the secondary to the tertiary level is not always the smoothest for some students. On the islands of the English-speaking Caribbean, such as Jamaica, it can be especially difficult as some matriculants have never used an automated library. These students often experience great difficulty in effectively using the library which may result in them shying away from doing so and thus negatively impact the quality of their work. The UWI, the UWI Main Library, Mona campus, Jamaica has sought to address this challenge through the development of an outreach project to the first-year students entitled the Halls of Residence Librarian (HRL) programme. Findings – This new form of library outreach on The UWI Mona campus has yielded the offering of library services in new locations, strategic partnerships, increased interactions with the first-year students and a greater awareness of these students ' needs. Most importantly, it was very effective in reducing library anxiety among the first-year students. Research limitations/implications – The “low” turnout to Research Rescue was largely attributed to the fact that this programme was entirely optional for the students, and it was not affiliated with any compulsory course or class. There was also the issue of a lack of incentives to boost student attendance at these sessions. Originality/value – This initiative is untested in the English-speaking Caribbean. The paper explores the outreach efforts of the library at the Mona campus of The UWI and seeks to add to the limited body of literature on Academic Library Outreach in the Caribbean.

Low-Hanging Fruit: Leveraging Short-Term Partnerships to Advance Academic Library Outreach Goals

For academic libraries wishing to extend their outreach, existing and potential short-term, project-based collaborations are the low-hanging fruit. Such partnerships include student organizations, various institutional offices, and councils of one kind or another. Keys to success for libraries include flexibility, personal relationships, openness to work outside of academic units and outside of the library, strategic planning, knowing the resources needed and those that already exist, and a desire and ability to move from conversation to action. Leveraging these types of collaboration can enable the library to extend its reach far more than in acting alone.

Bigfoot hunting: Academic library outreach to elementary school students

Bigfoot hunting: Academic library outreach to elementary school students

Mind the gap: academic library outreach and EOP

PurposeThis article aims to describe the many ways academic library outreach practices are evolving through online formats. It underscores the implications of moving communications and resources online for educational opportunity program (EOP) students when considering these students' specific technology usage patterns and the need for face‐to‐face mentoring. The article seeks to make recommendations for libraries that intend to develop successful programming and interactions with transitional students online; and to bring to light the need for future research concerning the creation and usage of online educational support structures that specifically serve the EOP community.Design/methodology/approachA literature review discusses technology and academic library outreach programming as well as the historic and current digital divide and learning styles of EOP transitional students. Recommendations are made for how to best meet EOP student needs online to support the traditional in‐person programming in which these students succeed.FindingsIdentifying successful learning structures and potential technology usage patterns of EOP students provided the foundation for this article. Developing library outreach and programming within the online platforms EOP students access and utilize is necessary to support continued face‐to‐face interactions in an academic setting. More research is necessary in order to support transitional students in a digital format.Originality/valueThis article describes digital outreach efforts targeting non‐campus and campus communities, in particular within EOP transitional programming. It inquires about how to best meet transitional students in a digital format when they have historically succeeded in face‐to‐face educational interactions and settings.

Using Geolocation Apps for Academic Library Outreach and Instruction

This article discusses the uses, experiments, and merits of geolocation applications for academic library outreach and instruction. SCVNGR is a game-based geolocation application. Users earn points or gain rewards by completing challenges and treks. Builders design challenges with text-based answers, quick response codes, or photo responses. Librarians at Boise State University and Oregon State University have built treks and challenges using SCVNGR for orientations and instruction. They have found SCVNGR a better environment than Foursquare to engage students with the library. SCVNGR is a convenient tool to use to get started with geolocation and gaming in library instruction; however, comparable tools are available.

Cultivating community, promoting inclusivity: collections as fulcrum for targeted outreach

PurposeThis paper aims to describe the implementation and analyze the outcomes of the Diversity Book Display initiative at the University of the Pacific's Library. Through this program, curated displays were used to promote multicultural learning and inclusivity, as well as to build intra‐institutional relationships with curricular and co‐curricular units engaged in diversity work on campus.Design/methodology/approachThe paper places the University of the Pacific's program within the context of academic library outreach through displays and exhibits, as well as situating it in relation to recent trends regarding library outreach to and collaboration with student services. An overview of the development and implementation is provided along with the results of a multi‐year assessment of the initiative.FindingsThe mindful leveraging of collections not only provides opportunities for student learning regarding diversity and inclusion, but also can be a platform to build collaborative campus relationships and elevate library visibility. The Diversity Book Display initiative has been a positive way to engage patrons with library collections as well as with social and cultural issues pertaining to multiculturalism and inclusivity.Originality/valueThis paper describes a unique approach to cultivating partnerships with students, faculty and staff, through co‐promotions of campus diversity and inclusion efforts and the library's collections.